Honda has commenced sales of its new Clarity Fuel Cell, a hydrogen-powered 5-passenger sedan, and its co-developed external power output device, the Power Exporter 9000.
Billed as the world’s first 5-passenger hydrogen fuel-cell sedan, the first sales of the Clarity went to government and businesses in Japan. These organizations are working closely with Honda to collect usage data about the car and its external power output device. After a trial period, sales to individual customers will begin.
Honda says it has increased the Clarity’s range by about 30 percent over the previous generation, boasting a range of 750 kilometers (466 miles). That exceeds the farthest-driving electric vehicle, the Tesla Model S, by a substantial 196 miles. The Clarity also has a 70 MPa high-pressure tank that takes only 3 minutes to fill.
The tank feeds a 174-horsepower electric motor. Unlike the previous generation, engineers were able to fit the entire hydrogen fuel cell powertrain beneath the hood of the Clarity by making it more compact. When combined with the Power Exporter 9000, the Clarity can serve as a power source that can supply approximately 7 days’ worth of electricity to the average household.
Honda plans to introduce the Clarity to Europe and the US by the end of 2016.
Live images by Ben Hsu.
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